Cancer Care Innovation
The vibrant city of Shreveport-Bossier is buzzing with excitement as the Willis Knighton Cancer Center prepares to host a significant event that underscores its pivotal role in cancer treatment and research. In November 2025, the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group – North America (PTCOG NA) will hold its annual meeting at the center. This marks the *first time* this prestigious international conference is being hosted in a city of this size, and right here at Willis Knighton, no less!
Dr. Lane R. Rosen, the medical director of radiation oncology at Willis Knighton Health, shared the enthusiasm about this upcoming event. “It’s a big deal for us,” he said, adding that the PTCOG NA conference has typically taken place in major academic centers like New York, Miami, and Chicago. “Having it here is a testament to our leadership in proton therapy.” This event celebrates a decade since Willis Knighton first introduced the *Proteus® ONE*, which was the *world’s first compact image-guided* proton therapy system, to the local community.
Since it opened its doors to patients in 2014, the center has genuinely become a beacon of hope and treatment excellence in Louisiana. Currently, it is still the only center providing proton therapy in the state, and it serves as a training hub for professionals from all over the world. The center even received the *George Starkschall Award* by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, recognizing its cutting-edge work in proton therapy.
Dr. Rosen couldn’t help but express how proud the entire team is about this upcoming meeting. “It’s a celebration of our journey with proton therapy,” he reflects. Bringing together radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists, and a plethora of specialists from leading cancer centers like Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mayo Clinic, and others, this gathering will undoubtedly foster enriching discussions and collaborations in the realm of particle therapy.
Shreveport-Bossier isn’t just shining in cancer treatment; it’s also making a name for itself in transplant medicine. Two wonderful physicians at the Willis Knighton John C. McDonald Transplant Center, Dr. Gaza B. Zibari and Dr. Neeraj Singh, are stepping up to leadership roles in renowned national transplant organizations.
Dr. Zibari, who directs the transplant center, has been named president of the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA). This organization aims to improve the lives of individuals suffering from liver and pancreas disorders through significant educational initiatives. Not stopping there, Dr. Zibari has also been elected chair of the International Relations Committee for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, amplifying his impact on patient care and organ donation on a global scale.
Expressing his passion for altruism, Dr. Zibari remarked, “I feel it is my moral obligation to reciprocate what America has done for me by helping our community and the less fortunate all over the world.” His journey from being a refugee in Iraq to a leading surgeon in the U.S. is truly inspiring.
On the other hand, Dr. Neeraj Singh, who is eagerly working in the kidney and pancreas transplant field, has taken the helm as chair of the American Society of Transplantation’s Kidney Pancreas Committee. His focus is to address various challenges in transplantation while enhancing standards for patient care and education. He also co-chairs the Medical Director Committee, working diligently to raise the bar for transplant outcomes.
And there’s even more good news! Dr. Christopher S. Chandler has joined the Willis Knighton John C. McDonald Transplant Center, bringing with him a wealth of experience in multiorgan transplantation. With a lengthy background in surgery and an innovative approach to patient care, Dr. Chandler is set to play a vital role in enhancing the transplant services offered in Shreveport.
With surgery options for liver, kidney, and pancreas transplants as well as gallbladder and bile duct surgeries, he’s all about securing positive outcomes for patients. Recognizing the importance of a patient-centered, multi-disciplinary method, Dr. Chandler’s addition to the team will elevate the standard of care even further.
In summary, the Willis Knighton Cancer Center and its transplant division are not only making strides in patient care but are also playing a formidable role on the national and international stages. The upcoming PTCOG NA meeting in November 2025 will be a remarkable milestone, and with dedicated professionals like Dr. Zibari, Dr. Singh, and Dr. Chandler, the future looks brighter than ever for healthcare in Shreveport-Bossier.
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